Hospital light

ABSTRACT

A hospital light has a fluorescent light mounting frame received within a base panel. The mounting frame and the base panel are held together by a slidable member which fits into a slot formed where the panel and frame come together. The frame is removable so that the lamps and other electrical components are easily changed. Also provided is a terminal block which allows for rapid rewiring of the lamps or other components.

United States Patent 3,077,536 2/1963 Garnett 240/73 3,200,244 8/1965 Meyer 240/73 3,209,140 9/1965 Nieder-Westerr n n et al. 230/5 1.11 3,379,870 4/1968 240/73 Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Assistant ExaminerMichael Harris ArromeyMellin, Moore 8L Weissenberger ABSTRACT: A hospital light has a fluorescent light mounting frame received within a base panel. The mounting frame and the base panel are held together by a slidable member which fits into a slot formed where the panel and frame come together. The frame is removable so that the lamps and other electrical components are easily changed. Also provided is a terminal block which allows for rapid rewiring of the lamps or other components.

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I PATENTEDJ N IQM 5 7 3 v I -sun1or INVENTOR. RONALD K. MEYER ATTORNEYS RONALD K. MEYER W M r I ATTORNEYS HOSPITAL LIGHT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to lighting fixtures, and more particularly to those adapted for use in hospital rooms.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a hospital light which permits fast and easy variation of its circuitry so that it can be easily adapted to function in any one of a number of ways.

It is another object of this invention to provide a hospital light that permits immediate access to a fluorescent light mounting frame in the event of breakdown in the electrical wiring connections or ballast.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hospital light having a light cover which is hingedly movable to an open position and capable of being held in that open position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hospital light having a light partition which runs between fluorescent tubes in the light to compartmentalize the light therefrom so that light can selectively be directed through an upper or lower translucent lens panel.

Broadly stated, the hospital light comprises a base panel including upper and lower rail sections and a wall plate. A fluorescent light mounting frame is receivable within the upper and lower rail sections of the base panel, and a pair of tube holders are fixed to the mounting frame. A terminal block is fixed to the wall plate of the base panel. Included are a light cover having edges complementary to edges of the base panel for enclosing the mounting frame, and electrical wiring connections between the pair of tube holders and the terminal block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWINGS These and other objects of the invention will become apparent in view of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hospitalroom and hospital lights constructed in a preferred manner contemplated by the invention;

FIG, 2 is a section taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1",

FIG. 3 is a partial section, with portions removed, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1; 9

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the hospital light;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the means for selectively holding the mounting frame in the base panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. I of the drawings, there is shown a hospital light and console 10, comprising a centrally disposed console 12, and a pair of lighting fixtures l4 and 16 on either side thereof. Each of the lighting fixtures l4 and 16 is substantially the same.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the hospital light 14 comprises a generally U-shaped base panel 18 that extends the entire length of the light 14. Base panel 18 includes an upper rail section 20, a lower rail section 22, and a wallplate 24.

Fixed to the base panel 18 near each end thereof are brackets 26 and 28, which will be described in detail further on. Fixed to one end of the base panel 18 are receptacle means 30. Fixed to the other end of the base panel 18 is a series of end plates 32 to which is fixed a bracket 34 which holds a small lamp 36. A terminal block 38 is centrally fixed to the wall plate 24 of the base panel 18. A small bracket 40 is fixed to the wall plate 24 adjacent the terminal block 38.

Adapted to be received within the upper and lower rail sections and 22 of the base panel 18 is a fluorescent light mounting frame which is made up of a back plate 42 having an anchor groove 44 formed along its length, fluorescent tube holding means 46, 48, 50, 52 fixed thereto, and end plates 54, 56 which fasten to the back plate 42 by means of screws (not shown) which screw into the ends of the anchor groove 44. As will be seen in FIG. 2, the upper tube holding means 46, 50

each have a first pair of tube holders for holding a first tube 58 between them and a second pair of tube holders for holding a second tube 60 between them. The lower tube holding, means 48, 52 have a third pair of tube holders between them for holding a third tube 62. Fixed to the rear of the back plate 42 are a pair of start ballasts 64,66 for use in conjunction with the fluorescent tubes 58, 60, 62. These start ballasts 64,66 are connected by wiring (riot shown) to the tube holders. A switch 68 ofany well-known type is is mounted to the back plate 42.

Back plate 42 has a hook-shaped flange 70 formed along its length. The flange 70 is adapted to engage with a rib 72 formed along the lower rail section 22 of the base member 18 when the mounting frame is not secured to the base member 18 and is allowed to hang therefrom under its own weight The mounting frame is secured to the base member 18 by means best shown in FIG. 5. As shown therein, a channel 74 is formed along the bottom of the back plate 42 and, when the mounting frame is properly positioned, the channel 74 is adapted to line up with similar short channels 76, 78 formed on the bottom of each bracket 26, 28. Slidable in channel 74 are a pair of locking tabs 80, 82 the end portions of which can be moved to extend beyond the ends of the mounting frame. When they are so extended, the channels 76, 78 receive them and the mounting frame is held in the base panel 18. The mounting frame may be freed from the base panel 18 by simply sliding the locking tabs 80, 82 inward from the ends of the mounting frame and out of engagement with the channels 76, 78.

Making up the main body of the light cover are front face plate 84, end face plates 86 and 88 and transparent top and bottom plates 90 and 92. A pair of longitudinal rails 94, 96 are fitted along the edgcsof the transparent plates 90, 92 and have edges which are complementary to the edges of the base panel 18 for enclosing the mounting frame.

Pivotal arms 98, 100 connect to the inside of each end base plate 86, 88 respectively, and pivotal arms 102, 104 connect 26, brackets 26, 28 respectively. Pivotal arms 98, 100 are pivotally connected to each other, as are pivotal arms 100, 104 (FIG. 2). This allows the light cover assembly to be lifted and pivoted about the upper edge of the base panel 18. The pivotal arms 98, 100, 102, 104 limit the extent of the hinging movement. Stops I06, 108 are formed on the pivotal arms 98, I00 respectively to lock the pivotal arms and hold the light cover in an open position.

An arcuate member 110 is held to the end plates 54, S6 and back plate 42. This arcuate member 110 extends from the back plate 42 between the group of first and second pairs of tube holders and the third pair of tube holders and toward the rear side of the front face plate 84 of the light cover. Extending from the rear side of the front plate 84 as an integral part thereof is a second arcuate plate 112 which extends toward the back plate 42 and terminates adjacent but spaced from the arcuate member 110. These arcuate members 110, 112 serve as light partitions between the first and second fluorescent tubes 58, 60 and the third fluorescent tube 62. However, the spacing between these arcuate members 110, 112 allows a certain amount of light to flow from the top into the bottom, and vice versa.

The front and end face plates 84, 86, 88 may be covered with suitable decorative sheets of veneer 114. A large pivotal arm 116 extends from the upper rail section 20 of the base panel 18 through an aperture therein, and is held in. such pivotal position by a bracket 118. A short support arm 120 may be fitted to the front face plate 84.

Electrical wiring runs from the receptacle means 30 to the terminal block 38, and from there to the receptacle 122 mounted to base 40. A terminal block cover 124 is adapted to fit over the terminal block 38. Electrical wiring also runs from the terminal block 38 to the light 36. Appropriate electrical wiring also connects the tube holding means 46, 48, 50, 52

l with the start ballasts 64, 66, and wiring through the switch 68 connects the ballasts 64, 66 with plug 126 which is plugged into receptacle 122. Thus, when electrical power is supplied through receptacle means 30, the light 36 and fluorescent tubes 58, 60, 62 can be made to operate. lt will be seen that because of the particular construction of the body of the lamp and the use of a terminal block, the wiring may be easily altered so that the light will function in various ways. For example, a single fluorescent tube may easily be connected to a wall switch in a hospital room so that it can be turned on by somehow entering the room. The lamp 36 may act as a night light which is connected to the terminal block 38. The switch 68 may be made to control the three fluorescent tubes in any manner, depending on the choice of circuitry and the switch itself. This is made possible because of the unique construe tion which allows the lamp cover to be opened and the mounting frame to be removed, so that the wiring may be altered in a matter of seconds. Furthermore. because the lamp cover can be pivoted up from the base panel 18, easy access to the fluorescent tubes is possible, and they may be changed when required.

It is to be noted also that the light partition formed by the arcuate members 110, 112 is discontinuous, and allows a small amount of light therethrough. Thus, some light may be allowed through the bottom transparent plate even when the bottom fluorescent tube is shut off.

lclaim: i

l. A hospital light comprising:

a. base panel including upper and lower rail sections and a wall plate;

b. a fluorescent light mounting frame receivable within the upper and lower rail sections of the base panel;

c. a pair of members slidably held by the mounting frame and selectively extendable therefrom;

d. means held relative to the base panel for receiving the slidable members when they are extended, whereby the mounting frame may be selectively held in the base panel;

e. a first pair of tube holders fixed to the mounting frame;-

f. a second pair of tube holders fixed to the mounting frame;

g. a third pair of tube holders fixed to the mounting frame;

h. a terminal block fixed to the wall plate of base panel;

i. electrical wiring connections between the terminal block and the first, second and third pairs of tube holders respectively;

j. a light cover having edges complementary to edges of the base panel for enclosing the mounting frame;

k. a first light partition disposed between the group of the first and second pairs of tube holders and the third pair of tube holders said first light partition extending from the mounting frame toward the rear side of the light cover; and

l. a second light partition extending from the rear side ofthe light cover toward the mounting frame and terminating adjacent but spaced from the light partition extending from the mounting frame.

2. A hospital light comprising:

a. a base panel including upper and lower rail sections and a wall plate;

b. a fluorescent light mounting frame receivable within the upper and lower 'rail sections of the base panel;

c. a pair ottube holders fixed to the mounting frame;

d. a terminal block fixed to the wall plate ofthe base panel;

c. a light cover having edges complementary to edges of the base panel for enclosing the mounting frame;

f. electrical wiring connections between the pair of tube holdots and the terminal block;

g. a pairof members slidably held by the mounting frame and selectively extendable therefrom; and

h. means held relative to'the base panel for receiving the slidable memberswhen they are so extended. whereby the mounting frame may be selectively held within the base panel.

3. A hospital light according to claim 2 wherein is included:

a. a second pair of tube holders fixed to the mounting frame;

b. electrical wiring connections between the second pair of tube holders and the terminal block; and c. a light partition disposed between-the two pairs of tube holders, said partition extending from the mounting frame toward the rear side of the light cover.

4. A hospital light according to claim 3-wh erein is included a second light partition extending from the rear" side of the light cover toward the mounting frame and terminating adjace'nt but spaced from the light partition extending from the mounting frame.

5. A hospital light .according to claim 4 wherein an edge of the light cover is in hinged relation to a complementary edge of the base panel, and wherein means'are included for limiting the extent of hinging movement of the light cover relative to the base panel and holding the light cover in a position no longer enclosing the mounting frame. 

1. A hospital light comprising: a. base panel including upper and lower rail sections and a wall plate; b. a fluorescent light mounting frame receivable within the upper and lower rail sections of the base panel; c. a pair of members slidably held by the mounting frame and selectively extendable therefrom; d. means held relative to the base panel for receiving the slidable members when they are extended, whereby the mounting frame may be selectively held in the base panel; e. a first pair of tube holders fixed to the mounting frame; f. a second pair of tube holders fixed to the mounting frame; g. a third pair of tube holders fixed to the mounting frame; h. a terminal block fixed to the wall plate of base panel; i. electrical wiring connections between the terminal block and the first, second and third pairs of tube holders respectively; j. a light cover having edges complementary to edges of the base panel for enclosing the mounting frame; k. a first light partition disposed between the group of the first and second pairs of tube holders and the third pair of tube holders, said first light partition extending from the mounting frame toward the rear side of the light cover; and l. a second light partition extending from the rear side of the light cover toward the mounting frame and terminating adjacent but spaced from the light partition extending from the mounting frame.
 2. A hospital light comprising: a. a base panel including upper and lower rail sections and a wall plate; b. a fluorescent light mounting frame rEceivable within the upper and lower rail sections of the base panel; c. a pair of tube holders fixed to the mounting frame; d. a terminal block fixed to the wall plate of the base panel; e. a light cover having edges complementary to edges of the base panel for enclosing the mounting frame; f. electrical wiring connections between the pair of tube holders and the terminal block; g. a pair of members slidably held by the mounting frame and selectively extendable therefrom; and h. means held relative to the base panel for receiving the slidable members when they are so extended, whereby the mounting frame may be selectively held within the base panel.
 3. A hospital light according to claim 2 wherein is included: a. a second pair of tube holders fixed to the mounting frame; b. electrical wiring connections between the second pair of tube holders and the terminal block; and c. a light partition disposed between the two pairs of tube holders, said partition extending from the mounting frame toward the rear side of the light cover.
 4. A hospital light according to claim 3 wherein is included a second light partition extending from the rear side of the light cover toward the mounting frame and terminating adjacent but spaced from the light partition extending from the mounting frame.
 5. A hospital light according to claim 4 wherein an edge of the light cover is in hinged relation to a complementary edge of the base panel, and wherein means are included for limiting the extent of hinging movement of the light cover relative to the base panel and holding the light cover in a position no longer enclosing the mounting frame. 